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Robotic-Assisted Surgery

The da Vinci® robotic surgery system can be used to treat a range of surgical conditions.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery is one of the field’s most exciting advances in the past decade. This laparoscopic technology uses a combination of highly magnified 3-D imagery and surgeon-guided robotic movements to perform delicate urologic surgeries with unmatched precision. The result: less bleeding, less pain, less scarring and a potentially easier recovery for your child.

How Does the da Vinci® Robotic Surgery System Work?

When it comes to robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery, da Vinci® technology leads the way. With the da Vinci® robotic surgery system, the surgeon controls precision tools using a camera system. A few tiny incisions (rather than the one larger incision typically required in traditional open procedures) allow the camera system and tools to enter the child’s body. From there, the surgeon can control the surgery while sitting at a nearby computer console. Aided by enhanced 3-D imagery and highly magnified views, the surgeon is able to manipulate the robotic-assisted tools with greater dexterity, stability and range of motion than what can normally be achieved with the human hand.

A common misconception about pediatric robotic surgery is that the robot actually replaces your child’s surgeon. This is not the case. The surgeon’s expertise is simply enhanced by the precision technology offered by the da Vinci® system. The surgeon is in control at all times, and the robot does not move on its own.

Surveys show that parents whose children underwent robotic-assisted surgery as opposed to traditional open surgery were overwhelmingly pleased with the outcome, particularly the size and appearance of the scars.

Is Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery Right for My Child?

When surgery is needed for your child, we realize that you want all the information possible in order to make the best decision. So we take the time to explain each option, always looking for the least invasive method for faster healing and return to normal activities.

You can also count on us to work closely with you and other medical professionals on your child’s care team, because we firmly believe that a collaborative approach yields the best outcomes. Together, we’ll provide the guidance you need when considering a robotic-assisted approach versus a traditional open surgical procedure for your child.

Pioneering Pediatric Robotic Surgery in Urology

Pediatric urologists at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville, consistently named among the “Best Doctors in America,®” are regional leaders in minimally invasive urologic procedures. We routinely perform robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery in urology at our partner hospital, Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Our reputation for excellence draws families from around the region who are seeking exceptional care for their child’s urological condition.

Our surgeons use the most updated version of the da Vinci® robotic surgery system, which provides 3-D imagery and views at 15-times magnification, allowing for delicate urological surgeries to be performed with smaller instruments and greater precision. This translates into smaller scars, less postoperative pain, decreased risk of infection and faster healing times for our young patients, who are often under 2 years of age.

Our Expertise

Pediatric urologist Michael Erhard, MD, heads the robotics program at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville. A leader in his field, Dr. Erhard has earned recognition as a dedicated surgeon and a passionate advocate for his patients.

Our surgical team also understands that children are not simply small adults. Their developing bodies require specialized care, and so do their emotional needs. If your child requires urologic surgery, you’ll find that every expert your child meets — from skilled radiologists and anesthesiologists to knowledgeable nurse practitioners — realize the importance of treating the whole child and not just the illness.

Before you and your child’s care team make any decisions about surgery, your child may undergo blood tests, urine tests and imaging studies — MRIs, CAT scans or nuclear medicine studies. These tests assess the structure and function of your child’s urinary tract so that we can determine the best course of treatment.

Because many problems of the urinary tract overlap with diseases of the kidney, we often work closely with specialists from nephrology. Our collaborative approach is one of the hallmarks of our care.

About Anesthesia

Parents often have questions about the anesthesia used for surgery. Rest assured that during any urologic procedure that requires anesthesia, our board-certified Nemours pediatric anesthesiologists are experts at determining the best types of medicine to keep your child calm, comfortable and safe.

The Department of Anesthesiology at Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, Jacksonville is based at our partner facility, Wolfson Children’s Hospital. The department includes anesthesiologists and a nursing staff who coordinate pre-procedure evaluations and pain management care. In addition to the experience and talent of our staff, the hospital’s state-of-the-art surgery center is fully equipped and staffed to meet children’s unique needs.

We also offer kid-friendly strategies to help lessen your child’s fears about surgery. One example is the “play therapy” sessions we offer — a great way to help ease any anxiety our young patients may be feeling about their upcoming procedures.

Connecting With Your Child’s Primary Care Physician

We believe that one of the best ways to advance medicine to benefit children is through collaboration. We work closely with physicians in the community to assess their cases, offer expert diagnostics and help connect patients quickly to the right treatment.

Our electronic health record (EHR) is a secure, online environment that connects all phases of care for a child — inpatient, outpatient, at home and at the referring physician's office. Using a special physician portal, primary care and referring physicians can securely access information about the care provided by the Nemours medical team and monitor a child’s progress any time, day or night.